Chapter 4

EP.4 First Rune Hunt (3)

Park Jin-woo is the complete opposite of Kang Juyeon.

Unlike Kang Juyeon, who started with overwhelming talent and explosive stats, Park Jin-woo is a classic example of a character who starts weak and gradually grows stronger.

In terms of potential, he doesn't fall short to any holder.

‘But not right now.’

However, this also means that Park Jin-woo is currently weak.

After enrolling in the academy, he consistently improved his abilities and, meeting his mentor Professor Tak Won-ho, blossomed with his latent talents.

As a protagonist, he has boundless potential for growth, but...

At the time of the entrance exam, he was...

A weak holder selected for the lower class, just like me.

‘His speed... seemed quite high.’

In the early part of <Next Rune Holder>.

There, Park Jin-woo's holder information is also revealed.

If my memory as a dedicated reader is accurate, he was a nimble swordsman with relatively high speed compared to his other stats.

I can't recall the exact values of his abilities.

But one thing is certain.

His strength is lower than mine, but his speed is higher.

With this information, I could plan for the upcoming sparring match.

‘Right. There was that rune too.’

As I recalled, it came to mind.

Another epic rune that the protagonist Park Jin-woo obtained early on.

[Clear Mind].

As the name suggests, it is a mental defense rune that allows the holder to maintain their will and focus, regardless of the situation, physical condition, or any curses.

Park Jin-woo uses this rune effectively from the beginning to the end.

In the early stages, he uses it to steady his mind when he feels tired and wants to give up during training, and in the later stages, he uses it to defend against mental attacks during battles with monsters and other holders.

Especially, [Clear Mind] is a growth rune that starts at level 1.

Like [Sweat of the Seeker] or [Rune Hunter]...

It is not a rune that starts at max level.

Therefore, as the level increases, the number of usable aspects and derived skills also increase significantly.

From a certain perspective, it is even more overpowered than [Sweat of the Seeker].

It was a protagonist buff to support the initially weak Park Jin-woo.

‘Which one is better?’

[Rune Hunter] can only duplicate one rune per holder.

So at first, I was unsure which rune to choose.

Both runes have overpowered and advanced performance.

But I soon shook off these thoughts with a hollow laugh.

‘There’s no such thing as a free lunch.’

Getting an overpowered rune made me too arrogant.

Even before the sparring match started, I was already daydreaming about winning the duel.

Park Jin-woo, who has lower strength but higher speed.

Our normal weapon runes are at the same level.

Since we are at a similar level, I needed to be fully prepared.

Even though I know Park Jin-woo better than anyone, there are still variables that could lead to a loss.

"Holders Kim Jihyun and Park Jin-woo, the live combat sparring for the entrance exam will begin shortly. Please prepare for one minute."

Holding two daggers in my hands, I listened to the supervisor's words.

Weapon use is free in live combat sparring.

I prepared five daggers for efficient combat.

Two for close combat, three for throwing.

Just a month ago, I was an ordinary modern person who had never held a weapon, but with the assistance of the [Dagger] rune, I can now handle daggers smoothly.

Park Jin-woo, who was initially confused by my challenge, also...

Gripped his sword with a determined look as the sparring approached.

He was always a serious holder who gave his best in every battle, whether in the early stages when he was weak or in the later stages when he became strong with multiple runes.

"Start the sparring."

Whoosh-

Thud, Thud-

How long did it take for a reaction?

2 seconds? 1 second?

It seems I moved within that time after the start signal.

I immediately threw the throwing daggers and ran forward with the close combat daggers in both hands.

There was no need for a drawn-out exploration phase.

First strike, win!

Park Jin-woo was also caught off guard by the sudden attack.

* * *

Clang- Clank-

Park Jin-woo's sword and Kim Jihyun's daggers clashed again.

A two-handed sword versus a single-handed dagger.

Despite the obvious weight difference.

There was no significant difference in power between the two holders.

"Ugh... What kind of strength is this..."

On the contrary, Park Jin-woo was slightly struggling.

Each time their swords clashed.

Park Jin-woo could feel himself being pushed back.

‘Strength 8? 9? It must be around that...’

When a holder's main stat exceeds 10.

The academy generally places them in the intermediate class.

While the level of runes is important for a holder's growth, the difference in stats is an absolute and unbridgeable gap.

Thus, a holder's stats are crucial.

From Park Jin-woo's perspective, Kim Jihyun's strength was almost 10.

Considering his own strength is only 5, it's natural to be overpowered in a strength contest.

Moreover, Kim Jihyun holds a dagger in each hand.

Daggers are light and allow for smooth movement.

Using two daggers with both hands, Kim Jihyun has much more freedom in combat compared to Park Jin-woo, who uses a single sword with both hands.

<Holder Information>

◎Name: Park Jin-woo

◎Gender: Male (20)

◎Stats

[Strength: 5] [Magic: 4]

[Speed: 8] [Spirit: 5]

[Endurance: 7] [Mind: 9]

◎Owned Runes

[Sweat of the Seeker Lv.Max] [Sword Lv.2]

[Agile Movement Lv.2] [Clear Mind Lv.1]

◎Owned Skills

-

◎Ultimate Skills

-

Park Jin-woo's strength is 5, and his speed is 8.

Thanks to the rare rune [Agile Movement], which supports his speed and helps him fight more nimbly, Park Jin-woo's speed is significantly higher compared to other lower-class holders.

He should use his relatively high speed to his advantage in combat, but it was difficult to create a favorable situation.

The difference in weapons.

Park Jin-woo uses a sword, while Kim Jihyun uses daggers.

Kim Jihyun's lighter movement allowed him to cover his lack of speed.

‘This guy... has good combat sense.’

Park Jin-woo was impressed by Kim Jihyun's instincts.

Honestly, the rune levels don't seem particularly high.

There were no special skills in their battle, and Kim Jihyun's dagger techniques felt more rough than refined.

But Kim Jihyun acknowledged the situation and fought strategically.

The first thing he noticed was the initial throw.

Some might call it cowardly, but considering the name of this sparring is "live combat sparring," it was a very rational and effective surprise attack.

‘If it weren’t for [Clear Mind], I would have been shaken for sure.’

The epic rune [Clear Mind], which helps maintain composure in any perplexing situation.

Without this rune, Park Jin-woo would have been shaken by the initial surprise attack and lost.

Kim Jihyun's first attack was that sharp.

"Pressure...!!"

"Haah!"

With their battle cries, their weapons clashed again.

The combat situation has been consistent since the start.

Kim Jihyun relentlessly attacks, finding any gaps.

Park Jin-woo defends, using his speed to compensate for the strength difference.

As a result, small cuts began to appear on Park Jin-woo's body where he couldn't avoid the attacks.

But Park Jin-woo didn't pay much attention.

Partly because his endurance is quite high, so he doesn't get seriously injured.

But the real reason he doesn't care is different.

‘It’s fun.’

This sparring match brought him excitement.

Even though he is continuously overpowered due to the strength difference.

There is a thrill in trying to compensate and counterattack.

Just a month since his awakening as a holder.

For someone who has always trained alone, a practical sparring match with a holder of similar level is incredibly enjoyable.

Rune holder.

Those who fight monsters and villains with special abilities.

Park Jin-woo finally realized he had stepped into their world.

"Sparring ended. Holder Kim Jihyun wins."

Kim Jihyun's dagger was already at Park Jin-woo's neck.

Clang-

Park Jin-woo dropped his sword, acknowledging his defeat.

But he wasn't at all upset.

"Haha! Hahaha!"

Park Jin-woo laughed out loud, looking at Kim Jihyun.

Seoul Holder Academy entrance exam.

For the first time since coming here.

He felt like he had met someone who could be a friend and a rival.

* * *

‘No, damn it... Why is he doing that? It’s scary.’

I tried to ignore Park Jin-woo's intense gaze.

If I met his eyes, I might end up being the weird one.

Everyone around me is probably thinking he's crazy for laughing so wildly...

Instead, I confirmed the sweet reward I received.

Victory in the duel against the opponent.

The condition proposed by [Rune Hunter] was fortunately applicable to this live combat sparring.

[You have won the duel! By the mysterious power of Rune Hunter, you can duplicate one of the opponent's runes. Please choose the rune to duplicate.]

[1. Sweat of the Seeker 2. Clear Mind 3. Agile Movement 4. Sword]

My choice was undoubtedly [Sweat of the Seeker].

The epic rune I had been thinking about since preparing for the duel with Park Jin-woo.

[Clear Mind] was also very powerful, but I couldn't give up [Sweat of the Seeker], which affects the overall growth of a holder.

[You have chosen Sweat of the Seeker. As it is an epic rune at max level, the level will not decrease when duplicated.]

[You have obtained a new rune.]

[The rune grants 3 points of endurance and 3 points of mind.]

<Rune Information>

◎Name: Sweat of the Seeker

◎Grade: Epic (Epic)

◎Level: Max

◎Engraved Part: Cheek

◎Special Effects

: The growth rate of the rune level is three times faster.

: For every 100 hours of training, a random stat increases by 1. (0/100)

: Endurance +3 Mind +3

◎Derived Skills: -

◎Detailed Information

: Those who seek the path are rewarded for their efforts. The hot sweat of the seeker will never betray them.

“...”

I'm really crazy.

To have this ridiculous overpowered rune that only the protagonist had.

I now possess another overpowered rune.